LA VERNE, Calif. – The weekend in California started off with a day to remember for Minot State sophomore thrower Ava Ruthven.

The Beaver sophomore from Kipling, Saskatchewan, turned in a career-best effort in the javelin, winning the event at the Leopard Invitational outdoor track and field meet hosted by the University of La Verne on Thursday.

Ruthven had a winning throw of 122 feet, 11 inches, leading the way for the Minot State track and field teams, which opened a busy weekend of action in California. Along with being a career-best effort, Ruthven's throw currently ranks 10^th in the NSIC this season.

Adding a career-best for the Beaver women's track and field team was freshman Jamie Ward, who finished 14th in the hammer throw Thursday with a mark of 120-10.

On the men's side, Holter Bridwell added a career-best performance for Minot State in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Thursday, finishing 25^th at the Leopard Invitational in 9 minutes, 45.74 seconds, a performance that ranks No. 2 in the Beavers' NCAA Division II era and is 4th fastest in the NSIC this season.

Adding a top-10 performance for the Minot State men to close out the day was Jake Jenkins, who finished 10^th in the 10,000 meters in 32:51.49, also a career-best time that ranks No. 3 in Minot State's NCAA era and is 6^th-fastest this season in the NSIC.

The Beavers also got a strong showing from freshman sprinters Justin Williams and Tyson Ruzicka, who finished 6th and 9^th, respectively, in the men's 200 meters. Williams clocked a time of 22.26 at the meet and Ruzicka ran a career-best time of 22.70.

Also competing Thursday at the Cal State LA Twilight Open, freshman Khaliel Abdurrahman finished 16th in his collegiate debut in the men's 100 meters in 11.14.

And sophomore sprinter Ben Holte clocked a time of 11.23 seconds in the men's 100-meter preliminaries, qualifying for Friday's event final.

Minot State's track and field teams continue their weekend of action in California, competing at day two of the Leopard Invitational, along with the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific on Friday. Minot State senior Peyton Tuhy is also scheduled to compete in the 1,500 meters at the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays on Friday.